Volunteer power at work helping our neighbors

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The power of volunteerism is alive and well in Chester County and Share the Warmth is just one of many programs impacted by the tremendous giving power of our local citizens. Good Neighbors Executive Director Rob Ellis is proud of the return on investment that his agency sees . “Donate a dollar to Good Neighbors and we can deliver up to $5.00 worth of home improvement thanks to our hard-working volunteers and contractors.”

United Way of Chester County’s Share the Warmth Initiative has existed since 2005, raising approximately $600,000 for home repair and winterization efforts for those who need it most in Chester County. The program works because it leverages the donations made by local individuals with volunteer power.

Jim Ford, Executive Director of Good Works in Downingtown shares his thoughts on the power of volunteerism. “We have seen over and over again that the care and support our volunteers provide to our homeowner families has the power not only to improve their living conditions but rekindle faith and hope.”

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The Good Works 2012 Youth Camp employed 6 work crews of teenagers from 4 local churches. These teens worked alongside other volunteers and skilled labor professionals who donated more than 2,700 combined hours of volunteer over two weeks to make three homes warmer, safer, and drier. Repairs included installing new windows, new drywall, ceiling repair and siding. A new wheelchair ramp making one of the homes more accessible for its owner was truly a gift to the Coatesville family who received it.

The push to volunteer comes from many different places—some are simply motivated internally, others are introduced to the concept at church or in school. Still others are presented with an opportunity to get involved as part of a corporate Day of Caring. However it is that we come to volunteer, it must be truly meaningful as our time can be as precious a commodity as our money. Share the Warmth is successful because it is meaningful. It is effective and it reaches beyond the initial repairs that a family receives—it offers them hope for a better tomorrow and a fresh start.

All of the money raised through the Share the Warmth Program goes directly to funding the work of the two agencies highlighted above. We are fortunate to have them working so diligently in our community and the power that they leverage through collaboration is unmatched.

Please continue to give what you can and also feel free to contact United Way of Chester County for more information on how to get involved (610.429.9400). Contributions to the program can be addressed to Share the Warmth, c/o Daily Local News, 250 N. Bradford Ave., West Chester, PA 19382. Attention: Andy Hachadorian, Editor.